Oklahoma will have a different look Saturday when they take the field versus the Kansas Jayhawks.
Saturday represents the first time we’ll see Oklahoma dawn their newest alternate when they take the field wearing their Unity uniforms. The jerseys were designed to emphasize the importance of togetherness and building relationships to better society.
The Unity uniform, which has been in the making since 2020, will also honor former running back Prentice Gautt, who was the first black football player at Oklahoma on scholarship.
Gautt played under legendary Oklahoma coach Bud Wilkinson and exemplified the true meaning of student-athlete while also breaking down barriers and paving the way for the Sooner athletes of today.
Honoring the past while looking towards a brighter future. #TogetherAsOne https://t.co/wO5IkSeH2p | #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/9RDVqTG4jX
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) October 12, 2022
The uniform, released Wednesday afternoon, was accompanied by a video with an explanation for the origin of the uniform from former Sooners’ captain and S.O.U.L. team member Caleb Kelly. Kelly is one of the major figures behind the design and inspiration of the jersey.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ โ๐จ๐ป๐ถ๐๐โ ๐๐ป๐ถ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ
A player-led movement developed over generations of student-athletes. A symbol of unity, togetherness and a legacy greater than football. #TogetherAsOne https://t.co/wO5IkSeH2p | #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/AgiIHyzGzW
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) October 12, 2022
Former Sooner football players Jeremiah Hall, Pat Fields and Creed Humphrey joined Caleb Kelly and Chanse Sylvie to spearhead the project. The football program joins the softball team, and the men’s and women’s basketball teams on Oklahoma’s campus with an anthracite-colored alternate uniform.
The idea has been brewing since 2020, which likely came about during college football’s deeper commitment to using its platform to highlight racial injustices and support a more inclusive environment in the sport.
The Sooners will don the anthracite-colored jerseys, pants and helmets with crimson trim and lettering, the word “together” sewn on the collar, the word “unity” on the back-of-the-jersey nameplate and a patch of the state of Oklahoma on the sleeves. It’s the first new jersey combo for Oklahoma since it debuted the “Roughrider” uniforms.
#TogetherAsOne #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/zrYSYuGkA8
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) October 12, 2022
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